[Simple Man]

So the reason we have Big Block Pontiacs and Buick stickers on the air cleaners is because of young parents, schools, the media, the government, etc? Hmmmmm....(ducking back under the covers)

[codyyy]

Originally Posted by Don Keefe

Personally, I think that everyone needs to get over everything listed previously and start worrying about where the next generation of enthusiasts are going to come from. Year after year, we as a group keep pushing away potential inductees because they don't have the "right" car or they dress a certain way or listen to music that is different. The real focus needs to be on welcoming the next generation in, regardless of what they drive and actually showing some stewardship not only for our cars but also the people that they will eventually be going to.

This topic has been talked about on other forums I am on as well, from the early Ford guys to the early Harley guys. There really doesn't seem to be much of a clear answer other than to educate the younger people and get them interested in it. However this old stuff is well, old. Auto parts , tools and hardware stores are rapidly changing. It is also harder to work on cars legally. Not to mention the old or "classic" "vintage" car hobby is quite expensive regardless of what it is.

Originally Posted by bird72

Ya Man!

A week ago I saw two 80's Buicks / Olds sedans in a shopping center parking lot. Side by side with 4 teenagers. One was primered and had nice aftermarket rims and tires (not pimp) and the other one looked "in progress" also. So they were in a mindset that V8 power in "old school" was cool. I say I don't care Chevy, whatever motor, they are into hot rods and V8's is all that matters. Had I been in my bird I would have went over and yakked. I plan on interacting any chance I can with young people "on the path" or interested in it. Would I steer them to Pontiac for a first hot rod? Only if they especially dug them. I would steer them to the cheapest, easiest first build: sbc. These young cats were already there. Then I can hook them on Poncho

I have a childhood friend interested in these cars, he has an Olds currently. He is the only friend I have around interested in cars the same way I am.

[codyyy]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Can you remember the first time someone gave you a ride in an old car? your Dad? a friend of your Dad's? an Uncle?, your older brother? or his friend?...whoever... the point is, we all remember our first ride.

Well, it is time for all of us, to be that person.


I take all the neighbourhood kids for a ride, for 2 reasons, so they will hopefully get 'hooked' on old cars, and so their parents won't complain the next time me (or 1 of my buddies) wakes them up with their old car.

Here is a challenge for everyone .... take a kid, with his parent, for a ride in your old car this summer. (someone that has never been in your car before)

Don't be the crusty old guy who lives on the street who won't let anyone ride in his car, be the nice old guy that gives the kids a ride they will never forget.

This happened to us a few weeks ago. Two old guys pulled up in the Office Depot parking lot in a Model T Touring. I knew a little about the car, but my mom decided to talk to them. They offered to drive us around the block, so we all climbed in. My wife and me in the back and my mom and one of the guys in the front (the other guy went to Office Depot). I actually learned a lot about that car even though I already had a basic knowledge of it from selling old Ford parts. Turns out the guy was 90, he didn't look a day over 70 though. Needless to say I really wanted to buy it.

[Tempest]

great story codyyy.

Imagine how you would feel if you were 10 years old.....you would never forget ' the day those old guys gave us a ride at Office Depot'.

Thanks for sharing.

[Don Keefe]

Originally Posted by U47

Bingo! The young parents who these days don't know what's under the hood of a car much less being able to fix or maintain it themselves. The schools which are out of control when it comes to what kind of information your kid is getting and always telling the kids how bad cars are ( especially the old ones) to the environment.. The media controlling the information to the public in general. The government who will do the regulation part along with the high cost of fuel in the future.
The environmental groups who influence the political parties in the government, and the people in the media, and the people in the schools.

You better keep a close ear to the ground to what your kids, and grandchildren are saying when they come home from school. You will be amazed.

Tell me how are you going to change that mindset when it is so entrenched in the world we live in today ????

I think that while those societal factors play a part, I was referring to the elitist, closed off attitudes that many hobbyists display toward cars not in their area of interest. That is what is turning would-be Pontiac guys away and keeping them in Hondas or whatever they are driving.

[Don Keefe]

Please read my blog post on this subject...

http://ponchoperfection.com/the-true...r-stewardship/

[242177P]

This one has a big block, AND a "frame off restoration"

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/6136469554.html

[Drag Star Le Mans]

Small block, mid block, big block Pontiacs...
Small blocks are the 61-63 195 4cyls
mid blocks are OHC 6s
BBPs are all V8 Pontiacs
So in my world there are small and big block Pontiacs

GET OVER IT!!!

[R68GTO]

"Big block" Pontiac.....could be worse......they could say "Small block Pontiac" and be just as right. At least it tells you right away the seller doesn't know much about Pontiacs.

[Simple Man]

Originally Posted by 242177P

This one has a big block, AND a "frame off restoration"

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/6136469554.html

How do I know that's a 400? No decal on the air cleaner.....

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

How do I know that's a 400? No decal on the air cleaner.....

So true, without the sticker. But more importantly, how do you tell if it's a big block? What tells you it's not a small block pontiac?

[mgarblik]

The idea of taking a kid or even a young driver of say a Honda Civic for a ride in your Pontiac is a GREAT idea. The current generation of young potential motorheads has NO IDEA, no frame of reference for what NA torque is or what it feels like. They don't "get it" because they have never felt it. Life changing experience? Damn right it is. I was 18 and thought I knew all about Pontiacs, torque and horsepower. Hell, I owned a 70 TA, what else did I need to know? Then 4 of my friends and I made a trip to Gallipolis, OH to the home of Mr. Phil Heck. He took all of us for a ride on the street in a real aluminum 421 SD Catalina!. A standing start run to around 100 MPH. That 10 seconds is etched in my mind like it was yesterday. I remember looking back at my friend and his eyes were as big as saucers. Open headers, slicks, it was by far the fastest, loudest most powerful thing any of us had ever experienced. It was all we talked about for months. How some day, some way, we would have a Pontiac like that. Thank you again, PJ Heck. If you can, change some lives with your car.

[Half-Inch Stud]

SBP or BBP...they can tell by the valvecovers

Seems the Pontiac owners are not the ignorant bunch, nor the other car enthusiast. They know already.


Seems the concern gone rabid are the non-enthusiast; those that don't turn wrenches, those that hobo their home repairs.

[Overkillphil]

So there are folks who get annoyed at people who get annoyed at people using the term "Big Block Pontiac" and as a result would rather not see the bashing and resultant commentary over such incorrect posts (BB Pontiac, 400-4 stickers, et al.)

So I've decided I'm tired of seeing folks ranting about folks who rant about folks who refer to Pontiacs as Big/Small blocks, 455/400/350-4 air cleaner stickers, "Elderblock" products, BF "Goodwrench" tires and so many other common blunders in this hobby.

Maybe some day soon there will be another thread that rants about my ranting about folks ranting about folks ranting about BB Pontiacs etc.

[wovenweb]

I liked the air clener stickers so much I bought two Buicks.

[FrankieT/A]

Buick, the ford of GM...

[wovenweb]

Originally Posted by Don Keefe

I think that while those societal factors play a part, I was referring to the elitist, closed off attitudes that many hobbyists display toward cars not in their area of interest. That is what is turning would-be Pontiac guys away and keeping them in Hondas or whatever they are driving.

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

Buick, the ford of GM...

Lol, and just a few posts later...

[Greg Reid]

Next to the GTO the GS is my favorite GM muscle car....especially the '70 model.

[U47]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Next to the GTO the GS is my favorite GM muscle car....especially the '70 model.

My favorite is the 49 Olds 88

[wovenweb]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Next to the GTO the GS is my favorite GM muscle car....especially the '70 model.

I've always found the ridge running from the front fender to the front portion of the quarter panel on the '68-'69 editions a bit...different.